The Best Easy Gluten Free Apple Dumplings | Cozy Fall Dessert
❤️Recipe Summary
These gluten-free apple dumplings are warm, buttery, cinnamon-spiced bundles of goodness wrapped in a flaky gluten-free crust and baked in a sweet homemade syrup. They taste like mini apple pies—but easier, faster, and even more comforting. Perfect for fall, Thanksgiving, or any cozy dessert craving.
Why These Gluten Free Apple Dumplings Are Amazing:
- Made with simple gluten-free pantry ingredients
- The crust bakes incredibly flaky—no one can tell it’s gluten-free
- The syrup caramelizes beautifully around each dumpling
- Uses whole apples for the juiciest, softest center
- A classic family recipe made allergy-friendly
Table of Contents
Reader Review
“These gluten-free apple dumplings tasted exactly like my grandma’s, but better. The syrup is unreal!” — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ingredient Notes:
For the Crust:
- Gluten-free all-purpose flour — use a blend with xanthan gum
- Cold butter — creates flaky layers
- Cold milk — helps the dough come together
- Sugar & salt — for balance
For the Apples:
- Medium baking apples (Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji)
- Cinnamon & sugar — classic warming flavors
- Butter — melts over apples as they bake
For the Syrup:
- Water — base of the syrup
- Butter — makes it rich
- Sugar — caramelizes during baking
- Vanilla extract — adds depth
A Note From My Kitchen
Gluten-free dough can be tricky, but for this recipe the crust is intentionally soft—it presses easily around the apples without cracking. Don’t stress about perfection; these dumplings bake beautifully even if the dough isn’t flawless.
How to Make Gluten Free Apple Dumplings (Step-By-Step)
- Prepare the apples: Peel and core each apple. Leave whole.
- Mix cinnamon sugar: Combine sugar + cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Prepare the gluten-free dough: Cut cold butter into flour, add milk, and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Roll and divide: Roll dough into a rectangle and cut into 6 squares.
- Fill apples: Place an apple on each dough square. Add butter + cinnamon sugar into the center.
- Wrap: Fold dough up around the apple and seal.
- Make syrup: Boil water, sugar, butter, and vanilla until dissolved.
- Pour and bake: Place dumplings in a dish, pour syrup over, and bake until golden and bubbly.
Add Some Fun Flavor Variations!
- Maple Cinnamon: Replace half the sugar with maple syrup.
- Caramel Apple: Add a caramel candy inside each apple.
- Nutty Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the filling.
- Spiced Apple Chai: Add nutmeg, cloves, and ginger to the sugar mix.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use premade gluten-free pie crust?
Yes! Store-bought gluten-free crust works well—just cut it into squares and wrap the apples.
Which apples are best for dumplings?
Firm baking apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Pink Lady stay tender but not mushy.
Can I make them dairy-free?
Use vegan butter and dairy-free milk. Works beautifully!
Can these be made ahead?
Yes—assemble them fully, refrigerate, and bake within 24 hours.
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Homemade Gluten Free Apple Dumplings Recipe
Ingredients 1x 2x 3x
Crust
- 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cold butter
- ½ cup cold milk
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ tsp salt
Apples
- 6 medium apples, peeled & cored
- 6 tbsp butter
- 6 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
Syrup
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare apples by peeling & coring.
- Mix cinnamon and sugar for filling.
- Mix crust ingredients into a soft dough.
- Roll and cut dough into 6 squares.
- Place an apple on each square and fill the center with butter & cinnamon sugar.
- Wrap dough around each apple and seal.
- Place dumplings in a baking dish.
- Prepare syrup by boiling water, butter, and sugar until dissolved.
- Pour syrup over dumplings.
- Bake 40–45 minutes until golden brown.
Notes
- The dough should be soft, not dry.
- Use firm apples for best texture.
- Let dumplings cool slightly—syrup thickens as it rests.
SPECIAL NOTE
The syrup naturally caramelizes as it bakes. If you want even thicker syrup, let the dumplings sit 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Approx per dumpling:
Calories: 395
Carbs: 56g
Fat: 16g
Protein: 3g
Fiber: 3g
Nutrition Disclaimer
This nutrition information is an estimate and may vary based on brands and measurements used.
